NewzA glance at the social media accounts of New Zealand rugby fans, in the wake of the All Blacks’ loss to the Springboks, saw them divided into just two camps: Those who blamed the referees and the rules and those who thought their team were rubbish. The former is a Kiwi trait, while, when it comes to the latter, South Africans can be just as bitter and ungracious in defeat as any of the world’s worst fair-weather fans. Yesterday’s 43-28 result was a fair reflection of the game, though – and of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, which the Boks won 3-1.
Both sides, however, could share one observation: that it was tough and no win was a walkover. For Boks supporters, it should be comforting to know their team didn’t have to push the pedal all the way to the metal to triumph… There was plenty of power in reserve. The All Blacks, on the other hand, are a comparatively new and inexperienced team and, despite that, gave the Boks a more difficult time than they’ve had in a while.
The Boks are still top of the world, and the series win underlined that fact. But tomorrow’s another day – and another World Cup. Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus said they would have been proud to be part of the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series even if they hadn’t won it.
The Boks clinched the series 3-1 with a 43-28 win in the final game against the All Blacks in Baltimore on Saturday. It was South Africa’s third consecutive victory over the New Zealanders, after bouncing back from a 33-16 defeat at Ellis Park – which broke their 12-Test winning streak – with a 33-26 win in Cape Town and a 29-24 victory in Soweto. The Boks dominated all areas of play but only led 17-14 at the break.
But instead of falling short as they did from a similar position in the second half in Johannesburg, the Springboks scored two early second-half tries and maintained their momentum, ultimately winning six tries to four. Arendse changed the game Erasmus said Kurt-Lee Arendse’s individual effort, when he picked up a loose ball in his own half and ran through defenders to the All Blacks’ try line, was probably the moment when the Boks stretched the gap over their opponents. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SuperSport Rugby (@supersportrugby) “Kurt-Lee started burning guys,” the coach said after his 100th match in charge of the Springboks.
“Kurt-Lee himself admitted he had been going through a mental and physical dip. I thought when he scored that try it was pivotal. Until then it was anyone’s game.” The All Blacks trailed 43-21 for the final 15 minutes before their consolation try.
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